Roscoe Mitchell: Metropolis Trilogy
Behind the Scenes: Metropolis, Immanuel Wilkins Quartet, Emi Ferguson, and Ruckus workshopped the new work with Roscoe Mitchell in Fall 2022 at Carrolls Studios Manhattan.
World Premiere at DACAMERA
Friday, February 14, 2025 (7:30pm)
Zilkha Hall, The Hobby Center for the Performing Arts
800 Bagby St. Houston TX 77002
Performed by Emi Ferguson, Immanuel Wilkins Quartet, and Ruckus
On the Program:
Élisabeth Jacquet de La Guerre: Unmeasured Préludes, selections from Pièces de Clavecin, Book 1
George Lewis: Artificial Life, Part 1
G.F. Telemann: Fantasia No. 1 in A Major
George Lewis: Artificial Life, Part 2
G.F. Handel: Alla Hornpipe, from Suite No. 2 in D Major
Roscoe Mitchell: Metropolis Trilogy, World Premiere with Prelude and Interludes by Kweku Sumbry
*Metropolis Trilogy is a 2020–24 co-commission by Metropolis Ensemble**, Immanuel Wilkins Quartet, Ruckus, Emi Ferguson, and DACAMERA (2025).
**Major funding for this commission and project has been generously provided by Jennifer Salomon and The Richard Salomon Family Foundation.
Metropolis Trilogy by Roscoe Mitchell is a Metropolis Ensemble Production.
Weaving together modern jazz quartet and baroque instruments
The daring flutist Emi Ferguson, the shape-shifting baroque band Ruckus (continuo group, plus solo winds), and the visionary jazz saxophonist Immanuel Wilkins and his quartet combine forces in the art of improvisation for an exhilarating mix of musical styles at DACAMERA in Houston’s downtown Theater District.
The large-scale, three-movement World Premiere of iconic innovator Roscoe Mitchell’s Metropolis Trilogy*, will be surrounded by a dazzling constellation of works from the baroque era and beyond, including an inspired take on Bach’s contemporary, Georg Philipp Telemann; MacArthur-winning composer George Lewis’s open-ended work for mixed instrumental ensemble.
The full trilogy takes the listener on a journey from the gentle and mysterious world of Lady Moon (baroque instruments), to the hard-edged O’Cayz Corral (jazz quartet), culminating in the epic combined forces of Oakwood Drive. The full trilogy is performed by all nine players in three parts; while the first two parts may be performed separately.
The world premiere of iconic innovator Roscoe Mitchell’s Metropolis Trilogy, co-commissioned by DACAMERA, will be surrounded by a dazzling constellation of works from the baroque era and beyond. Revel in an inspired take on Bach’s contemporary, Georg Philipp Telemann; MacArthur-winning composer George Lewis’s open-ended work for mixed instrumental ensemble; Handel’s beloved Hornpipe from the Water Music Suite; a harpsichord classic from Jacquet de La Guerre; and the World Premiere of Metropolis Trilogy, composed especially for tonight’s musicians.
